LUXEMBOURG (dpa-AFX) - Low prices for zinc and high smelting charges had a significant impact on the results of industrial recycler Befesa last year. Operating profit adjusted for special effects (adjusted EBITDA) fell by 15 percent year-on-year to 182 million euros in 2023, as the MDax-listed company announced in Luxembourg on Thursday. The bottom line was a net profit of 58 million euros, only around half of the previous year's net profit. The Management Board therefore intends to reduce the dividend for 2023 from 1.25 euros in the previous year to 0.73 euros.

The zinc refinery business in the USA at least allowed the industrial recycler's sales to grow - thanks to an acquisition in October 2022. Revenue increased by four percent to EUR 1.18 billion. Befesa CEO Javier Molina continues to anticipate an improvement in 2024: Many of the recent burdens should then ease. The company plans to present final figures for the full year 2023 on March 21. An earnings forecast is expected in April with the figures for the first quarter./mne/men